WHAT WENT BEFORE: Sabio case

In 2012, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft cases against former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chair Camilo Sabio and four other former PCGG officials for leasing P12 million worth of vehicles without public bidding in 2007 and 2009.

The PCGG had leased five vehicles from United Coconut Planters Bank Leasing and Finance Corp. in 2007, and six vehicles in 2009.

In its resolution, the Ombudsman said deviating from competitive public bidding and resorting to alternative modes of procurement was only allowed in extraordinary situations.

In their defense, the PCGG officials told the Ombudsman that despite recovering P48 billion for the government, they were still being accused of prejudicing it.

According to them, the complaint was meant to harass and malign them, and that there was no injury to the government in the transactions. —INQUIRER RESEARCH

Source: Inquirer Archives